Run Loose with Ironman & yoga specialist Mark Russell

Mark Russell is a yoga teacher, yoga for sports specialist and Ironman distance triathlete. We’re delighted to welcome Mark to the TrailFest2 coaching line-up to host a practical session on yoga for trailrunners.

He has competed in over 70 running races and triathlons since 2007, competing in every distance from 5k runs to full Ironman distance triathlons, and recently finishing IM Frankfurt in under 11:30 hours. Mark initially began practising yoga to stretch after long training sessions at the weekends. He was invited by his teachers to begin his own teacher training late in 2010, and spent a year studying the intricacies of the postures and the philosophy behind yoga.

TF: When did you start trailrunning?
MR: I was coaxed into a triathlon almost 10 years ago. Which was a shock considering what I thought of running before that. I try to run off road as much as possible for the varying terrain, and I guess I started that around 4/5 years ago.

TF: What do you run for?
MR: Because it’s great.

TF: What’s your proudest running (or running-related) achievement/moment?
MR: IM Frankfurt in July this year and the odd age group podium spot in triathlon.

TF: What’s been your darkest/bleakest moment/time running?
MR: I’m rarely injured because of my yoga practice, but picked up an overuse injury at the start of the year which meant another refinement of my running technique and a lot of barefoot running.

TF: What did you learn from this?
MR: Not to be dumb and increase your load and distance by large amounts no matter how good you’re feeling.

TF: What do you think of when the trails get tough?
MR: My breath. Again a key lesson from yoga.

TF: What is your next big project/goal/race/adventure?
MR: Craggy island triathlon on 9th October; the Great Scottish Run, and Lochgilphead triathlon on the last weekend in September.

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What is TrailFest?

We love to #RunDirty and trailrunning is how we do it. We leave the pavements and roads behind for adventures and explorations in the forests, hills, mountains and moors.

TrailFest was founded in 2015 as ‘Glasgow Trailrunning Festival’ by Ryan Scott and Jo Cowper to create a celebration of trailrunning. Since then it has evolved into a national community which facilitates and supports runners of all abilities to run off-road with confidence and joy through social runs, training days, films & talks and an annual festival weekend.

Guided Trailrunning

We organise guided trailruns through stunning landscapes in West, Central Scotland. Our RunSOCIALs leave the pavements and roads behind for adventures and explorations in the forests, hills, mountains and moors.

With distances to suit everyone from seasoned trailrunner to off-road newbie, running with us is the best way to build skills, confidence and friends for trailrunning.